核融合大突破 潔淨能源不是夢 Fusion Power Breakthrough
美國一間實驗室的科學家得以製造出核融合反應，其產生的能量比要製造出該反應所需的能量還多。
目錄 / More to Learn / 中文翻譯(& 答案)
新聞英語
Asignificant breakthrough has recently occurred in the race to produce clean energy. Scientists at a laboratory in the United States were able to create a fusion reaction that produced more energy than was required to make it. Experts around the world agree that this incredible development proves that fusion power can one day be a practical energy option.
Fusion power is a type of nuclear energy source like fission power, which is currently a common source of energy across the globe. While fission power involves splitting a large atom to produce energy, fusion power creates energy by combining smaller atoms together. It makes energy the same way the Sun and stars do. One important thing to note is that fusion power doesn’t create harmful long-term radioactive waste and is unlikely to cause dangerous power plant meltdowns like fission power. That’s why fusion power has been described as the “holy grail” of sustainable energy.
Despite this critical development, there are still many obstacles to get over before fusion power becomes a reality. For one thing, the energy produced in the above- mentioned experiment was just enough to boil a few water kettles. It is incredibly difficult to sustain a fusion reaction.
Temperatures need to be higher than the Sun’s center, and the pressure should also be greater than the Earth’s atmosphere before atoms will merge, not to mention the costs of building and maintaining all the highly-technical equipment. Still, many in the scientific community are optimistic about what the future of fusion power holds.
1. What can we learn about the experiment that realized fusion power?
(A) It was not recognized by the scientific field.
(B) It tried to split apart two atoms to produce energy.
(C) It has achieved something that has never happened before
(D) It produced energy that can be put into commercial use soon.
2. Why is fusion power considered a better option than fission power?
(A) Fission power is more difficult to generate .
(B) Fusion power is less likely to cause a power plant disaster.
(C) Fission power plants need more energy to operate properly.
(D) Fusion power requires a lot less energy to produce than fission power.
3. Which of the following is NOT a current challenge regarding fusion power?
(A) The necessary equipment is expensive and difficult to maintain.
(B) The pressure required in the process should be extremely high.
(C) Temperatures need to get very hot for it to work.
(D) The risk of an explosion is quite high.
答案: 1.C 2.B 3.D
單字片語整理
Words in Use
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long-term [ˋlɔŋ͵tɝm]
adj. 長期的
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community [kəˋmjunətɪ]
n. 社區；界，共同利益團體
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equipment [ɪˋkwɪpmənt]
n. 裝備（集合名詞，不可數）
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atmosphere [ˋætməs͵fɪr]
n. 大氣；空氣；氛圍
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sustain [səˋsten]
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sustainable [səˋstenəb!]
a. 可維持的；可持續的
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generate [ˋdʒɛnə͵ret]
vt. 產生（光、電、熱）；造成，引起
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option [ˋɑpʃən]
n. 選擇
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critical [ˋkrɪtɪk!]
a. 危急的；批評的；重要的，關鍵的
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laboratory [ˋlæbrə͵torɪ]
n. 實驗室
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split [splɪt]
vi. 分開
.vt. 劈開；分裂
n. 裂口；意見分歧
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obstacle [ˋɑbstək!]
n. 障礙
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explosion [ɪkˋsploʒən]
n. 爆炸；（感情、笑聲等的）爆發
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merge [mɝdʒ]
vi. & vt. （使）合併
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breakthrough [ˋbrek͵θru]
n. 突破
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kettle [ˋkɛt!]
n. （煮開水用的）水壺
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above-mentioned [əˋbʌvˋmɛnʃənd]
adj. 上述的
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meltdown [ˋmɛlt͵daʊn]
n. （核電廠燃料）熔毀
Practical Phrases
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get over... 從……恢復過來 / 復元
= recover from...
It took me a long time to get over the shock.
我花了很長的時間才從驚嚇中回復過來。
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not to mention sth 更不用說某事物
Daphne is good at playing the guitar and the violin, not to mention the piano.
達芙妮擅長演奏吉他和小提琴，鋼琴就更不用說了。
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describe A as B 將A描述為B
= depict A as B
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be optimistic about... 對……表示樂觀
Investors are still relatively optimistic about the company’s prospects.
投資人對該公司的前景仍舊相當樂觀。
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be described as... 被描述成／形容為⋯⋯
Jenny is described as a kind and warm girl.
珍妮被描述成一個善良又溫暖的女孩。
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the holy grail 終極目標
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For one thing, S + V 首先／一方面⋯⋯
You should think twice before you accept the job. For one thing, the pay is not ideal. For another, the commute is long.
你在接受那份工作前最好再想想。一方面，薪水不是很理想。另一方面，通勤時間很長。
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commercial use 商業用途
More to Learn
race [ res ] n. (為搶先做到某事或得到某物的)競賽/競爭
• After the manager retired, everyone in our department was in the race to get the position.
經理退休後，我們部門的人都為了那個職位而競爭。
以下介紹 race 的其他常見用法:
a. (n.)(比速度的)比賽/競賽
• The big race will take place as the final event of our school’s sports day.
那場大賽會是我們運動會的最後一項賽事。
b. (n.) 人種，種族
• This country is known for being full of people of different races.
這個國家以充滿不同種族的人所聞名。
c. (vt.) 與⋯⋯比賽
• I used to race my brother home when we were little.
我跟哥哥還小時常常比賽跑回家。
d. (vi.) 加快速度
• All of the cars gave way when an ambulance went racing down the street.
一輛救護車在街上急駛時所有車子都讓道。
e. (vi.)(心或腦因害怕、興奮等而)快速跳動/轉動
• Jerry’s heart was racing when he was about to propose to his girlfriend.